Edmonton Nordic Ski Club- Sport Safety

Remote Training Guidelines

Athlete Safety is top priority for Edmonton Nordic.  We are committed to providing the same level of quality coaching and training that you are a custom to…just a little differently.

As we shift to online training platforms and remote training solutions, we will work to ensure the safety of all involved—athletes, parents and coaches. 

We look to our national and provincial sport organizations for guidance and will implement the following guidelines.

Our Coaches will follow Nordiq Canada’s basic principles for training at-home or other environments:

• • • Use Common sense
    • Tailor coaching/expert guidance to age and ability
    • Keep a record or training log – both athlete and coach/trainer
    • Not do or recommend what you would not do under normal circumstances
    • Stay within the coach/trainer skill level as well as the ability level of the group we are advising
    • Obey and follow all local, provincial and federal rules, regulations and guidelines
    • Exercise extreme caution with use of weights or other equipment or apparatus – there is no shortcut.
    • Ensure we are following the principles of safety in sport as you adapt training; For example, think about how you would apply the principles of the Rule of Two in a video-conferenced training environment. 

All of our efforts are in compliance with our insurance coverage and governing sport bodies.

• • • Publicly-accessible broadcast tools such Facebook Live, YouTube, etc. are not acceptable methods of remote-training delivery. Any club or PTSO must consider the use of controlled, multi-screen video conferencing tools such as Skype or Zoom. 
    • Each club must provide their NSO with a list of coaches that are delivering remote training. Only certified coaches registered and in good standing with their NSO can offer remote training (no exceptions permitted). 
    • At the beginning of each remote training session, Coaches must verify that only registered members are at the other end of the remote communication tools (for example, non-member siblings are not allowed to participate). 
    • Good record keeping must be maintained. Coaches are required to maintain a log of who is in attendance, what instruction is provided, by whom, and the date for each session. Each athlete should also maintain a personal log containing their information. 

For a complete list of requirements as set forth by Canadian Snowsports Association click here. 

The Rule of Two

As certified coaches, our coaching team employs the principle of the Rule of Two. 

The goal of the Rule of Two is to ensure all interactions and communications are open, observable, and justifiable. Its purpose is to protect participants (especially minors) and coaches in potentially vulnerable situations by ensuring more than one adult is present. There may be exceptions in emergency situations.

Check out the infographic here  to learn more. 

Applying the Rule of Two in a Virtual Setting

• • • The Rule of Two should continue to apply to all minor athletes in the virtual environment during the COVID-19 pandemic (additionally, for those athletes under age 16, a parent or guardian should be present during the session where possible)

• • • We recommend applying the Rule of Two to non-minor athletes, as well, in the current circumstances
    • For every session, the Rule of Two would require two adult coaches be present, or one coach and one adult (parent, guardian, volunteer, club administrator) – one-on-one sessions should be prohibited
    • A clear statement of professional standards expected of the coach during calls should be communicated – (i.e., sessions are not social engagements, and should be focused on training/coaching)
    • Parents/guardians should be fully informed beforehand about the activities undertaken during the sessions, as well as the process of the virtual session
    • Parents/guardians should be required to consent to virtual sessions prior to each session, if irregularly scheduled, or prior to the first session if there is a series of regularly scheduled sessions
    • Communication during each session should be in an open and observable environment (i.e., avoid bedrooms) in the athlete’s home (athlete’s parents’/guardians’ home), and the coach must initiate the session from an appropriate location (i.e., avoid bedrooms or “overly personal”/unprofessional settings)
    • It is recommended to record sessions where that capacity exists
    • Prohibit one-on-one texting, emailing or online contact between coach and athlete – any texting, emailing or online contact should be limited to group text/email that includes at least 2 adults (2 coaches or 1 coach and 1 adult (parent, guardian, volunteer, club administrator), and limited to coaching (non-social) matters, and parents of minor athletes should be provided the opportunity to receive these texts/emails
    • Social media contact by coach to athlete should be prohibited (including the sharing of memes, non-training video, etc.);
    • Encourage parents/guardians to debrief with U-16 athletes about virtual training on a weekly basis.

In addition, care should also be taken to ensure that appropriate security settings have been set for virtual, videoconferencing arrangements, including password protected videoconference invitations.

                                                                                                                                                           Source: coach.ca